Rahul Mishra

The biggest take away from Rahul Mishra's showing at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in Delhi was that the past and the present can exist together quite beautifully.

Mishra, who recently won the international Woolmark prize, sent out a collection that best represented modern India. There was no kitsch factor, no shapeless woven sacks, no over-exaggerated dramatics; instead his collection focused on quiet simplicity, painstaking craftsmanship and traditional Indian techniques with a contemporary, global view.

Drawing on the lotus and also the journey of wool from nature to urbanity, Mishra's streamlined silhouettes showcased different avatars of Merino wool, 3D architectural details (his set had a stunning architecture model as a center piece), floral motifs and delicate hand embroidery.

His technique and innovation earned Mishra (who took a bow with wife Divya) a standing ovation, proving that the most successful designers are the ones who let the innate beauty of their clothes do all the talking.